Curriculum

Bioselective Coursework

Fall Semester 

Clinical Microbiology I (CLS 612). Lectures will focus on the characterization, identification, and pathogenesis (if any) of commonly encountered human microbiota. This course will be organized into 5 units: 1) virology, 2) antimicrobial susceptibility testing and infection control, 3) aerobic/facultative gram-positive bacteria, 4) aerobic/facultative gram-negative bacteria, and 5) miscellaneous bacteria. This course will educate and prepare students for careers as a health care practitioner utilizing the most updated clinical microbiology theory and applications. (3) 

Public Health Microbiology (BIO 615). The goal of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of emergence, transmission, pathogenicity, and control of infectious diseases relevant to public health. The course will primarily focus on emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic and vector borne diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, and food and water borne diseases. Additional topics of discussion will include bioterrorism and antibiotic resistance issues as they relate to public health. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and applying the critical concepts of epidemiology and microbiology to a particular public health problem by using clinical case studies. (3) 

Viral Pathogenesis (BIO 690) Considering the increased burden of viral diseases as well as more frequent viral outbreaks, it becomes immensely important to equip new generation of health professionals and researchers with an extensive understanding of viral pathogenesis. This lecture-based course is intended to provide an in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying diverse virus induced pathogenesis affecting various tissues. This course will be conducted in 3 parts: 1) students will be familiarized with the basic concepts of viral structure, entry, mode of replication, and viral evasion of host immune response, 2) will deal with viral invasion and pathogenesis including neuropathology, cardiovascular complications, inflammation, malignancies, developmental defects, and respiratory complications, and 3) will include discussion of advanced research (journal-club style) in the field of viral pathogenesis to enhance student’s scientific communication and critical thinking skills. Overall, this course will provide a comprehensive account of disease manifestation by leading viral pathogens (e.g. HIV, HCV, Flaviviruses, Coronavirus, Influenza virus, Herpesvirus, Hepatitis C virus, HPV, and HTLV-1). (3) 

Spring Semester 

Bacterial Pathogenesis (BIO 680) This course is designed to provide students with fundamental and cutting-edge information on the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. Topics presented will include virulence factors, virulence regulation and evasion strategies utilized by bacteria to survive host defense mechanisms. Special emphasis be placed on understanding the genetic, molecular, and biochemical approaches that can be used to study these host-pathogen interactions. Intervention strategies, including vaccination and anti-microbial therapy along with bacterial resistance mechanisms will also be discussed. Data analysis from primary literature will form a major component of the course. (3) 

Clinical Microbiology II (CLS 620) This course is a continuation of Clinical Microbiology I and will focus on mycology, parasitology, and body system associated with clinical specimens and infections. Lectures will focus on characterization, identification, and pathogenesis (if any) of commonly encountered human microbiota. The course will be organized into four units: 1) anaerobic and mycobacteria bacteriology, 2) medical parasitology, 3) medical mycology, and 4) body system associated infections. This course will educate and prepare students for a career as a health care practitioner utilizing the most updated clinical microbiology theory and applications. (4) 

Medical Mycology and Parasitology (BIO 663) This course will provide a comprehensive overview of medically relevant fungi, protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. The morphologies, physiologies, life cycles, taxonomic classifications, diseases, economic and public health impacts, diagnoses, prevention, and treatments will be discussed for each type of organism. 

Course Descriptions

Fall Semester

BIO 625 G 
Advanced Molecular Biology. This lecture-based course provides an in-depth analysis of the general concepts of molecular biology in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells that occur in nature as well as those applied to the laboratory. The course consists of 3 parts. The first part of the course will focus on aspects of molecular biology that occur in nature. Topics presented will include detailed mechanisms of DNA organization, DNA replication, transcription, gene regulation, genetic recombination, translation, protein folding and degradation,and biochemistry of lipids and membrane formation. The second part of the course will focus on concepts of molecular biology that have been exploited for use in laboratory research. Topics will include cell growth and tissue culture, analysis and manipulation of DNA (DNA isolation, hybridization, PCR, sequencing, creation of knockouts/mutants, RNAi, qPCR, & RNA seq), the functions and importance of antibodies in research, recombinant protein expression and purification, and protein analysis/detection methods. The third part of the course will focus on scientific communication. In this part of the course, students will give a journal-club-style oral presentation on a topic in molecular biology. (3); Prerequisite: PSC 311/312 or CHE 312/313 or equivalent.

BIO 610 G 
Immunology. This course is devoted to the study of host defense and the immune system.  It examines the cells and organs of the system. It also explores the complex mechanism of cell-cell cooperation necessary to produce immune responses. The role of antibodies, T cells and macrophages in host defense and diseases are thoroughly explored. The role of the immune system in hypersensitivity, autoimmunity and transplantation is carefully examined. In addition, methods for modifying immune responses through drugs and vaccines are discussed.  Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 235 is recommended. (3)

BIO 660 G 
Journal Club. This course is designed to enhance the ability of graduate students to critically evaluate scientific articles published in juried scientific journals. Articles will be selected from current scientific literature in a variety of disciplines in molecular biosciences, including cell biology, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases. All participants will read and critique the articles. Each student will present at least two articles per semester. (1)

COM 630 G 
Intercultural Communication in Healthcare. Health systems require practitioners to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, experiences, and behaviors. This course exposes students to the communication challenges that patients and professionals navigate as part of an intercultural therapeutic partnership, with special emphasis on the ways in which health care and health promotion can be tailored to patients’ unique social, cultural, and linguistic needs. The course uses the term “culture” broadly and inclusively, highlighting traditional racial/ethnic notions of culture (Asian), national cultures (American), and co-cultures (African-American), while also including contemporary notions of cultural membership (cultures of medicine, cultures of disability, LGBTQ). Key topics include: minority health disparities, health literacy, barriers to health care access, cultural variations in communication style, the use of medical interpreters, traditional and complementary medicine, cultural notions of public and private, and culturally-specific media environments that influence health beliefs and behaviors.

MAT 610 G 
Statistical Inference and Modeling. This course provides students with a basic knowledge of biostatistics. It includes methods of experimental design and data analysis used to make inference. Topics covered include confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, multivariable regression, generalized linear models, survival models and analysis of variance. The course will also include a component that introduces the students to statistical programming. (3)

Spring Semester

BIO 630 G 
Advanced Topics in Microbiology. This course will explore various cutting-edge topics in Microbiology through Journal club style presentations of primary literature from high impact peer reviewed journals. Each session will begin with a brief overview of the background information by the instructor followed by critical evaluation of the paper through student presentations and group discussions. The course will be divided in four broad themes. The first theme covers general microbial concepts including bacterial physiology and structure, metabolism and genetics. The second theme will explore the microbial virulence mechanisms, anti-microbials, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms, along with discussing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for important bacterial infectious diseases. The third theme of the course will include the nature and biological activities of viruses, virus-host interactions and some important viral diseases. The last theme will focus on the important advances made in the field of host-pathogen interactions including innate and adaptive immune responses against selected pathogens. (1-3); Prerequisite: permission of the instructor

BIO 680 G 
Bacterial Pathogenesis. This course is designed to provide students with fundamental and cutting-edge information on the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. Topics presented will include virulence factors, virulence regulation and evasion strategies utilized by bacteria to survive host defense mechanisms. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the genetic, molecular, and biochemical approaches that can be used to study these host-pathogen interactions. Intervention strategies, including vaccination and anti-microbial therapy along with bacterial resistance mechanisms, will also be discussed. Data analysis from primary literature will form a major component of the course. (3); Prerequisite: BIO 210, BIO 236, PSC 315, PSC 311 or CHE 311, PSC 312 or equivalent courses

PSC 500 G
Clinical Biochemistry is foundational to medical science and will help students develop an understanding of biological molecules and their relationship to common disorders. Using applications and clinical correlations, the course will reinforce the role of enzymes as building blocks of life and in catalyzing and regulating biochemical reactions within the body. The integration of various metabolic pathways, cellular metabolism, and biosynthesis with emphasis on the key concepts of structure and function of macromolecules involved in physiological processes will serve as the basis for an understanding of drug action and drug development. Biomolecular techniques related to clinical analysis will also be explored.  This course will combine lecture discussions and assignments designed to enhance student learning. Upon the completion of this course, students will learn the applications and clinical implications of human biochemistry, the cellular basis for several common genetic diseases and metabolic disorders, and essential techniques related to clinical biochemistry.

HOI 645 G 
Epidemiology I (formerly PAD 693 G). This course covers the principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation including describing the patterns of illness in populations and research designs for investigating the etiology of disease. The course introduces quantitative measures to determine risk, association and procedures for standardization of rates. It also reviews application of basic principles and methods in the design and conduct of epidemiologic studies. Topics include the development of research questions; overview of epidemiologic study designs; sampling, sample size, and selection bias; techniques for data collection, sources of secondary data, and the evaluation of measurement and information bias; confounding and effect modification; techniques for simple and stratified analyses; and an introduction to mathematical modeling in epidemiology. (3)

Summer Semester

BIO 665 G 
Biopharmaceutical Capstone. The Capstone Course will serve as a culminating part of the MS degree program. It will require the production of a peer-reviewed, journal article quality, written document. The document (25-40 pages) will either be (1) a major literature review on an existing scientific topic that is relevant to the student’s field of study or (2) based on a no-credit experiential learning experience such as a co-op, internship, or lab research. Upon completion of the course, the student will demonstrate the ability to understand, synthesize and analyze a complex industrial/scientific topic using critical thinking skills, evaluating possible outcomes and clearly presenting sound scientific conclusions. Students will be required to orally present and successfully defend their final capstone report for committee review. (3)